Bluetooth is a technology standard for short-range wireless data transmission between devices that have compatible chips. There are two major technologies within the Bluetooth core specification–Bluetooth classic and Bluetooth Smart (Bluetooth Low Energy). Both technologies include functions such as discovery and connection, but they cannot communicate with each other. Therefore, there is a difference between Bluetooth single-mode and Bluetooth dual-mode on the hardware module. The Bluetooth in our daily use of smartphones is Bluetooth dual-mode, which can support Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy.
Bluetooth Classic
Bluetooth Classic is designed for continuous two-way data transfer with high Application throughput (up to 2.1 Mbps); highly effective, but only for short distances. So, it’s a perfect solution in the case of streaming audio and video, or mice and other devices that need a continuous, broadband link.
Classic Bluetooth supported protocols: SPP, A2DP, HFP, PBAP, AVRCP, HID.
Bluetooth Low Energy
The SIG research over the last decade has sought to improve the performance of Bluetooth in terms of energy consumption, coming to present in 2010 the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) standard. Bluetooth Low Energy is an ultra-low power version of Bluetooth meant for low power sensors and accessories. It is ideal for applications that do not require continuous connection but depend on long battery life.
THE MAIN APPLICATIONS OF BLUETOOTH CLASSIC AND BLE
Bluetooth Classic is ideal for products that require continuous streaming of voice and data transmission, such as:
- Wireless headsets
- File transfers between devices
- Wireless keyboards and printers
- Wireless speakers
Bluetooth Low Energy (Bluetooth LE) is ideally suited to IoT applications such as:
- Monitoring sensors
- BLE Beacons
- Proximity marketing
To sum up, Bluetooth Classic is not an outdated version of BLE. Bluetooth Classic and Bluetooth Low Energy coexist and are used in different applications. It all depends on everyone's different needs!
